Citation

Hanscom FR. Transp. Res. Rec. 1976; 600: 20-27.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This field study examined driver responses to the potential skidding hazard of wet pavements subjected to high frictional driving demands. Study objectives were to examine motorists' general awareness of the hazard and to assess the relative effectiveness of various signing treatments that warn of the hazard. Measures of signing effectiveness were motorists speeds at critical curve locations and questionnaire responses' regarding motorists' observations and interpretations of the signs. Three curved highway sections were treated with five experimental signing conditions. Variations on the slippery when wet symbolic sign ranged from its use by itself to increasing levels of specificity and conspicuity to its use with flashing lights and an advisory speed limit. Experimental signing conditions incorporating flashing lights were effective at reducing highest quartile mean speeds below the critical safe wet pavement speed based on roadway geometry and surface conditions. Signs without flashing lights was not shown to be effective. Those questioned saw and properly interpreted the more conspicuous warning signs. Motorists' cues of potential hazard were observed to be roadway curvature and superelevation, behavior of other motorists, appearance of pavement surface, ambient conditions, known accident history of site, and presence of the warning sign. About 1 percent of the interviewed motorists cited the warning sign as their cue of potential skidding hazard.